Luke 23:34 Meaning and Explanation
“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Even while they crucify Him, Jesus turns to the Father and asks forgiveness for the men driving in the nails.
The Context of Luke 23:34
The crucifixion, at the place called Calvary, outside Jerusalem (Luke 23:33). Roman soldiers have just nailed Jesus to the cross and are dividing His clothing among themselves while He hangs there.
What Does Luke 23:34 Mean?
The first words Luke records from Jesus on the cross are a prayer for His killers. He calls God 'Father' in the middle of agony, and the request is staggering: forgive them. The soldiers below Him are casually gambling for His clothes, treating His death as a day's work, and He sees them as people who 'know not what they do'. His mercy is wider than their cruelty, and it reaches them before they ever think to ask.
This is the whole gospel held in a single sentence. Jesus was dying for the very sins He was forgiving, including the sin happening at His feet. He had taught His followers to love their enemies and pray for those who hurt them (Luke 6:27-28), and here, at the worst moment, He does exactly that. The forgiveness He spoke over those soldiers is the same forgiveness He holds out to all of us, freely, before we have earned a thing.
How to Apply Luke 23:34 Today
If Jesus could forgive the men crucifying Him, no wrong we have done puts us past His mercy. His forgiveness comes before we deserve it, while we are still far off. We can receive it now, and find in Him the grace to extend it to those who have hurt us.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 23:34
What does Luke 23:34 mean?
Even while they crucify Him, Jesus turns to the Father and asks forgiveness for the men driving in the nails.
What is the context of Luke 23:34?
The crucifixion, at the place called Calvary, outside Jerusalem (Luke 23:33). Roman soldiers have just nailed Jesus to the cross and are dividing His clothing among themselves while He hangs there.
How can I apply Luke 23:34 today?
If Jesus could forgive the men crucifying Him, no wrong we have done puts us past His mercy. His forgiveness comes before we deserve it, while we are still far off. We can receive it now, and find in Him the grace to extend it to those who have hurt us.